I'll be really grateful if somebody bother to explain me in simple terms the difference if any.
I have subscribed to Virgin cable and fast Broadband and now I would like to install a wireless home network and realise that some routers are in the DSL team and others play for ADSL team.
Mi question is are both in the same club or are different beasts altogether.
Cheers,
OldRider

If you get a broadband router (The small linksys, netgear, dlink, or similar), it should work with cable or DSL. You may have to change some settings, but with most setups today, you can just plug it in and you're ready to go.

ADSL is a type of DSL, the kind that is used in most homes. It's provided by your local telephone company. Another type of DSL is SDSL, which you mainly see for business use, but not very often. Cable modems are provided by the Cable TV company, to work with the coaxial cable that plugs into your TV.

I'll be really grateful if somebody bother to explain me in simple terms the difference if any.
I have subscribed to Virgin cable and fast Broadband and now I would like to install a wireless home network and realise that some routers are in the DSL team and others play for ADSL team.
Mi question is are both in the same club or are different beasts altogether.
Cheers,
OldRider[/QUOTE]

In addition to the information given, typically cable internet is faster, whereas the various types of DSL can go at different rates, typically slightly slower, but no so much that any normal home user would notice (Cable typicvally around 2.5 MB/s, DSL 1.5 MB/s though it can be faster (I am on a 2.5 MB/s ADSL system)).

Cable is easier to get up and running, but once you have either system up and running, you likely will not notice any difference at all.

DSL = Digital Subscriber Line
aDSL = Asymmetric DSL
sDSL = Symmetric DSL

Since download bandwidth more important to a typical household, the service has a lower uplink than downlink speed (asymmetric) Symmetric has the same up and down speed.

DSL is about as generic as "phone" as in "Do you have a phone/" vs "Do you have DSL"?